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Mexico long-term electricity auction sees 7 winners

Following sweeping energy sector reforms, the Mexican government’s first long-term electricity tender was a success. A total of seven companies triumphed in the historic auction, winning clean energy certificates (CELs) and electricity contracts.

These include international energy players like Italy’s Enel, Spain’s Alten Renewable Energy and the US solar giant Sunpower.

In total, CFE, Mexico’s national electricity company, awarded around 85 per cent of the 5.3m CELs and 6.3 MW of energy on offer. The long-term contracts are designed to finance clean energy projects, and will have 15-year terms for electricity and 20-year terms for CELs. There were no offers for capacity contracts, reports Stephen Woodman in Guadalajara.

The highest bid was for 1.2bn pesos ($69mn) and was made by Zuma Energía, a firm funded by UK private equity fund Actis.